Types of Cedar Shake Siding: Styles, Grades, and Materials

Cedar shake siding gives a home a distinctive, natural exterior, but the term covers several products with different textures, thicknesses, and installation requirements. The main types include hand-split shakes, tapersawn shakes, and taper-split shakes. Cedar species, product grade, exposure, and finish also affect appearance and performance. Knowing how these choices differ helps homeowners compare bids, choose a style that suits the building, and plan for appropriate maintenance.

What Cedar Shake Siding Is

Cedar shakes are individual pieces of wood installed in overlapping courses on exterior walls. Their overlap helps shed water, while the wood’s natural grain and color create a varied surface. Shakes are generally thicker and more textured than wood shingles, which are sawn to a more uniform thickness and smoother face. Product terminology can vary among manufacturers, so specifications should be checked rather than inferred from a product name alone.

Cedar shake siding is not the same as cedar shingle siding, though the terms are sometimes used loosely in product listings. A shake may have a split or textured face and can vary in thickness; a shingle is typically sawn on both sides and has a relatively even appearance. Both may be used on walls, but their installation details and visual effect differ.

Main Types Of Cedar Shake Siding

Hand-Split Shakes

Hand-split shakes are split from a block of wood, traditionally with a froe or similar tool. The face retains pronounced wood grain and a rugged, irregular texture, while the back is generally sawn to help the piece sit against the wall. This type is often chosen for rustic, historic, or lodge-inspired designs.

Because hand-split shakes have a pronounced surface and can vary in thickness, they call for careful layout and installation. The uneven face creates deep shadow lines, but also makes the finished wall less uniform than one clad in shingles or sawn shakes. Buyers should confirm the product’s dimensions, coverage, and installation instructions before comparing prices.

Tapersawn Shakes

Tapersawn shakes are sawn on both sides, giving them a more regular profile than hand-split shakes while retaining more thickness and visual weight than typical wood shingles. Their face is relatively smooth, and their edges can still show natural variation. They suit homes where the owner wants a substantial cedar appearance without the rugged texture of a split shake.

The more consistent shape can make a tapersawn product easier to lay out evenly, although it still requires proper flashing, fastening, spacing, and weather protection. Its finished look depends on shake width, exposure, and whether the installer aligns courses in a uniform or varied pattern.

Taper-Split Shakes

Taper-split shakes combine a split, textured face with a sawn back. They are typically thicker at one end than the other, producing a tapered profile. The split face offers a more rustic appearance than a tapersawn shake, while the back helps the piece fit against the wall.

Availability and naming can differ by supplier, and some product catalogs use related terms in different ways. The product’s actual manufacturing method and profile matter more than the label. Ask for a sample and a written specification showing thickness, width, length, grade, and recommended exposure.

Sidewall Shakes And Specialty Profiles

Some shakes are sold specifically for sidewall use, while others are designed primarily for roofs. Sidewall products and roofing products may differ in dimensions, grade, treatment, or installation guidance. A roofing shake should not automatically be assumed suitable for exterior siding. Confirm that the product is approved for wall cladding and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable local building codes.

Manufacturers may also offer decorative or specialty profiles, including grooved or combed faces and prefinished products. These options can change the visual effect or reduce on-site finishing work, but they do not eliminate the need for a suitable water-resistive barrier, correct flashing, and appropriate installation details.

Cedar Species Used For Shake Siding

Western red cedar is a common choice for cedar shake siding in the United States. It is valued for its relatively light weight, workability, and natural resistance to decay compared with many untreated woods. It can weather toward a gray tone when left unfinished, though the rate and evenness of color change vary with sun, moisture, exposure, and maintenance.

Alaska yellow cedar, also called yellow cedar in some markets, may be available for shakes and related exterior products. It has a different color and grain appearance from western red cedar, and product availability depends on region and supplier. Species names alone do not establish quality: grade, moisture condition, manufacturing, and installation all influence the finished result.

When comparing species, buyers should look for clear product identification and documentation. If the siding will be exposed to severe weather, persistent shade, or coastal conditions, the project should be assessed for local moisture risks and maintenance needs. No cedar species is immune to water damage, poor ventilation, or improper installation.

Understanding Cedar Shake Grades

Grade describes characteristics such as appearance, knots, grain, and other natural features, but grading categories and terminology can vary by product and supplier. Higher appearance grades generally offer a more selective, consistent look, while lower grades may show more natural variation. A lower grade is not automatically unsuitable, but it may be a poor match for a project expecting a uniform facade.

For an accurate comparison, ask each contractor or supplier to identify the grading standard and provide the product specification. Confirm whether the price includes a particular grade, species, treatment, and finish. A sample board or small mock-up can reveal differences that are difficult to judge from a catalog photograph.

Common Installation Patterns And Exposure

Cedar shakes are installed in overlapping courses, with each course covering joints in the course below. The distance a shake is exposed to view is called the exposure. Greater exposure can produce a broader, more open pattern, while less exposure creates more overlap and a denser appearance. The appropriate exposure depends on shake dimensions, roof or wall application, local conditions, and manufacturer instructions.

Shakes may be installed in aligned courses for a more orderly appearance or in a staggered pattern for a less formal look. At corners, around windows, and where siding meets roofs or decks, the installer must manage water carefully. Flashing and drainage details are essential; the siding itself is not a substitute for a properly designed water-resistive assembly.

Wall assemblies typically require a suitable water-resistive barrier behind the siding, with flashing integrated around openings and transitions. Depending on the design and local code, furring or another drainage approach may be used to create a space for water to drain and materials to dry. The correct assembly depends on the building, climate, and product instructions, so a qualified contractor should review the details.

Natural, Treated, And Finished Cedar Shakes

Unfinished cedar can be allowed to weather naturally. Its color may change over time, often toward gray, but the result is not always uniform. Shaded areas, walls with different orientations, nearby trees, and splashback can produce different weathering patterns. Natural weathering changes appearance; it does not remove the need to manage moisture or inspect the siding.

Some cedar shakes are pressure-treated or treated with preservatives, fire retardants, or other products. Treatment options vary, and not every treatment is appropriate for every application. Buyers should confirm the intended use, treatment details, maintenance requirements, and compatibility with paint or stain. Local wildfire regulations and building codes may impose additional requirements in some locations.

Paint, stain, and water-repellent finishes can alter the appearance and may help manage weathering when selected and maintained correctly. Opaque finishes cover more of the wood grain; semi-transparent stains retain more visible texture. Finish performance depends on the product, surface preparation, exposure, and upkeep. Follow both the coating and siding manufacturers’ instructions, and plan for periodic inspection and recoating where required.

How To Compare Cedar Shake Siding Options

Other practical comparison points include species, grade, shake length and width, coverage per bundle, treatment, finish, shipping, and installation labor. Cost estimates should include accessories and project details—not just the price per bundle. Flashing, trim, underlayment or water-resistive materials, waste, and preparation can substantially affect the total.

Durability, Maintenance, And Common Problems

Cedar shake siding can last for many years when the product is appropriate for the application and the wall is detailed to drain and dry. Longevity varies with climate, exposure, construction quality, finish, and maintenance. It cannot be predicted from species or purchase price alone. Regular inspections help identify damaged pieces, failed coatings, and water entry before problems spread.

Common concerns include persistent dampness, decay, insect damage, loose or split shakes, and finish failure. Vegetation touching the siding, clogged gutters, roof runoff, and soil or paving close to the wall can increase moisture exposure. Repairs should address the source of water as well as replace damaged pieces; otherwise, the problem may recur.

Cleaning should be gentle and appropriate for the product and finish. Aggressive pressure washing can damage wood fibers or force water behind siding. For mold, mildew, or staining, homeowners should follow manufacturer guidance and local safety recommendations rather than applying an unverified cleaning mixture. A contractor can assess extensive discoloration, softness, or recurring dampness.

Fire Safety And Local Building Requirements

Wood siding is combustible, and fire performance depends on the product, any treatment, the wall assembly, and surrounding conditions. In areas with wildfire risk, local rules may restrict untreated wood siding or require specific fire-resistant materials, defensible space, or construction details. Requirements can differ by jurisdiction and may change over time.

Before ordering cedar shake siding, homeowners should check with the local building department, insurer, and product manufacturer. Confirm whether the selected shake and finish meet applicable code requirements and whether approved fire-retardant treatment is available for that product. Treated wood should be installed and maintained according to its documentation; a treatment claim should not be treated as a substitute for code approval.

Choosing The Right Type Of Cedar Shake

The best type depends on the desired texture, budget, building style, climate, and willingness to maintain a natural wood exterior. Hand-split shakes emphasize rustic character, tapersawn shakes offer a smoother and more consistent face, and taper-split shakes fall between those visual approaches. Cedar shingles provide a thinner, more uniform alternative when a less rugged look is preferred.

Before making a final choice, compare physical samples, request complete specifications, and verify that the product is intended for sidewall installation. Ask contractors to explain the wall assembly, flashing strategy, ventilation or drainage provisions, fastening, and finish plan. Written, product-specific details make bids easier to compare and help ensure that the chosen cedar siding is installed for the conditions it will face.

Reliable Resources For Product And Code Checks

Useful starting points include the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau for wood roofing and siding information, the product manufacturer’s installation and maintenance documentation, and the local building department for current code requirements. For fire-related questions, local fire agencies and state or county wildfire guidance can clarify regional rules. Product-specific instructions and local code take precedence over general advice.